Alligator Alley Encounter

Traveling home to see my family Spanish moss hangs from trees eerily I step on the gas; the car starts to shake So I pull over, pressing on the brake Here in the darkness I am all alone No satellite near for this useless cell phone Few will drive through Alligator Alley Reptiles and panthers are not too friendly Hours pass as I sit still, locked in my car Green eyes from the swamp peer at me from afar A tire iron I grab at the break of day As the mystery of night fades away When the fog lifts, a sign comes into view After such a night I wish that I knew A gas station exit is just feet away Though overnight my hair had turned gray No gators or pythons had threatened me The danger I’d sensed was but fantasy But look, a crocodile crosses the road Seems I’d parked next to his slimy abode He sees me, stares and just goes on his way Scary possibilities in my head play Carefully I walk up to the exit My legs are still shaking I must admit The station is closed; boas hug the gas pumps My arms are suddenly rife with goose bumps But then I hear the sound of an airboat My chance of rescue no longer remote It’s the marine patrol; now I’m secure All nasty fears had been premature But he turns his face; it’s Michael Myers! This is the savior Florida hires?!! I run back to my car, but standing there Is a burly man with a mechanic’s flare He’d already popped the hood, fixed the car Quickly I speed from this swamp so bizarre *Written by Carolyn Devonshire for Gayle’s “Stranded” contest